Utah Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce agencies providing free foreclosure intervention counseling

SALT LAKE CITY — A recent real estate market report by RealtyTrac listed Utah as having the fifth-highest rate of foreclosure filings in the nation. With that in mind, some nonprofit organizations are banding together to help property owners who may on the verge of losing their homes.

The Utah Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce11 to receive a free foreclosure prevention workbook and a comprehensive list of credible, nonprofit counseling agencies involved with the Utah Foreclosure Prevention Taskforce.

Ryan Carver, director of housing counseling for AAA Fair Credit Foundation, told the Deseret News that the aim of the task force is to educate people about the resources that are available to everyone, no matter what their situation.

"You're already down on your luck; you don't have a lot of money lying around," he said. "The last thing you need is someone saying to get help is going to cost you."

January said that with the problems facing families in the current economy, this is a time when they should take advantage of the assets that are out there and avoid getting scammed by potential mortgage predators.

"There is free help," she said. "Just take a step back from the situation … and ask, 'Does this person seem credible?' and 'How did they find me?' …  You wouldn't accept a mechanic knocking on your door and saying, 'I think you need to fix your car.'

"So don't accept someone who claims to be a real estate agent or foreclosure counselor knocking on your door saying, 'I think I know how to help you.'"

E-mail: jlee@desnews.com